Stars Head Home With Confidence, 2-0 Lead

After resounding victories in Games One and Two of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series against Anaheim, the Dallas Stars flew home on Sunday brimming with confidence.

The Stars franchise has gone 9-2 all-time when winning the first two games of a best-of-seven playoff series, while the Ducks are winless in four series after falling behind 0-2. However, while the Stars are excited about storming out to a two-games-to-none series lead, they still realize there is a great deal of work left to be done.

That work can now be done in the friendly confines of American Airlines Center, as the series shifts to Dallas for Games Three and Four. Even with the rousing support the Stars are sure to receive at home, the players will be the first to admit their work is just beginning.

“I think our mindset coming home 2-0 needs to stay the same as it has been up until now,” said defenseman Stephane Robidas, who has collected four helpers in the two games against Anaheim this far. “We need to keep playing desperate hockey and keep pushing. This series is a long way from being over and we have to win four games, not just two. The next game is the most important game we’ll play and that’s the mentality we need to keep.”

Veteran forward Stu Barnes echoed those sentiments, when he said: “We know what we have to do, which is sticking to the game plan and playing our game. We’re still a ways away from where we want to be. We still need to keep getting better and playing the way we are capable of playing. They are obviously going to be pressing to win Game Three, and that game needs to be on our minds as our main focus. Games One and Two are behind us and it’s all about keeping the momentum going into the next game.”

After experiencing more valleys than peaks during their light March schedule, the Stars seem to have found a new mindset for the postseason. That mindset has carried the team to two victories over Anaheim, and Robidas credits Dallas’ 4-2 victory over San Jose in the regular season finale as the much-needed spark.

“I think everything started to turn for us in the last game of the regular season against San Jose,” said Robidas. “We wanted to bring a playoff mindset to that game to prepare ourselves for what was ahead. That was a really physical game and it really prepared us for these first two games against Anaheim. I think this group is really playing well together and just finding ways to win hockey games.”

The Stars will now look to continue to find ways to win hockey games in front of their loyal, knowledgeable and boisterous fans, who are being encouraged to wear black for the team’s “Black-Out” at home playoff games.

“I think the idea for a ‘Black-Out’ is really cool, and I’m looking forward to seeing the atmosphere we have in these home games,” said Robidas. “It’s obviously going to be a big boost for us, coming home and playing in front of our fans. I’m sure the fans are excited about these two wins so far, so we hope to give them more to cheer about.”

“We can’t wait for Tuesday night,” said Barnes. “It’s always fun to play in front of your home fans in the playoffs and it should be really exciting. Things have gone well so far in the series for us, and we’re looking forward to hopefully keeping this ball rolling in front of our own fans.”

To be a part of the Stars’ Playoff Blackout and join in on the excitement for Games Three (Tuesday) and Four (Thursday), please call (214) GO-STARS or CLICK HERE for tickets.